The best views in Scotland but are you hardy enough to spend a night in a bothy?

00:01, 28 Nov 2015

Updated 16:13, 2 Dec 2015

ByKatrina Tweedie

FEW locations are more idyllic than Scotland's mountain bothies - but you need to be prepared to forego some luxuries to reach them.

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Charlie Reynolds

The much loved Camasunary bothy, on the Strathaird peninsula in Skye, looking out over Loch Scavaig was rebuilt in 2014 by members of 59 Commando Squadron Royal Engineers

IDYLLIC settings in remote glens with breath-taking views - as locations go you don’t get much better than Scotland’s mountain bothies.

But you have to be a hardy traveller to spend a night in one of these unique but ‘n’ bens, because luxurious they are not.

However if you prefer wild and lonely and don’t require luxury – or water, a toilet, and electricity – a bothy can be a perfect haven after a day on Scotland’s hills.

There are 81 bothies across Scotland, all of which have provided shelter to many a weary walker or camper.

In remote glens, they are watertight and always left open for anyone who comes across them.

Coire Fhionnaraich in Strathcarron.

But holiday homes they are not, says the Mountain Bothies Association, that maintains these humble buildings and which also marks its 50 anniversary this year.

Camping without a tent is probably closer to the mark, though lots of things can be useful in a bothy that have no place in a tent, such as candles or a line for drying socks from.

“ Bothies have a long tradition among the outdoor community and indeed can be a lifesaver if the weather deteriorates unexpectedly,” says Neil Stewart from the MBA.

“Enthusiasm within the Association remains as high as ever and we are looking forward to many more years caring for these unique buildings.

“Is it not possible to say how many people use bothies as they are free to use, anyone can turn up and stay and no record of visits is kept. But our feeling is that usage is increasing as outdoor pursuits get ever more popular.”

Corrour, situated mid-way through the Lairig Ghru, is one of the MBA's most used bothies

Corrour, above, is situated mid-way through the Lairig Ghru, in the Cairngorms and is one of the MBA’s most used bothies. It was built in 1877 to house a deer watcher and fell into disuse at the time of the First World War when it became an “unofficial” open shelter.

The building has subsequently had a major make over, including the installation in 2006 of a composting toilet, the first of its kind in an MBA maintained bothy.

Lairig Leacach in the Grey Corries

Bothies can be used in all seasons and can be a welcome place for shelter, especially if the weather suddenly turns nasty.

Some more former estate houses which fell into disrepair and are now bothies such as Suileag in Sutherland, below, Suardalan in the west Highlands and Gorton on Rannoch Moor.

Suardalan in the west Highlands

As its name implies, the Schoolhouse at Duag Bridge in Sutherland was a former school for the children of local estate workers, foresters and ghillies. It ceased to be used as a school in the 1930’s and became an open bothy.

While The Lookout is one of the most unusual buildings looked after by the Association. Perched on the towering cliffs of Rubha Hunish in the north of Skye and overlooking the waters of the Minch, it is a former coastguard watch station. It has been a bothy since the mid-1970’s and was taken over by the MBA in 2006.

The Lookout in the north of Skye

Walker and climber Alan Rowan, who has been a regular visitor in Scotland's bothies over the years, said: "You're tired and weary, you've been walking for hours and then suddenly you see it; a lone light in a vast, wild landscape, a refuge from the elements.

"You open the door, and are welcomed by like-minded travellers. There's a roaring fire, a dram to warm you and then shared stories of the day's adventures on the hill. It's a unique Scottish experience, a rough and ready shelter open to all where new friendships are formed in the wildest of places."

So if you dream of a break from civilisation with views of the Northern Lights and Milky Way, such as below at Camasunary on the Strathaird peninsula in Skye, then take your pick of the bothies in our gallery below.